In a recent interview, Eluned Morgan, the First Minister of Wales and a member of the Labour Party, expressed her belief that Donald Trump, the newly inaugurated President of the United States, is not racist. Her assertion emerged during a BBC radio phone-in program, where she pointed out that a significant number of Black voters and Latino individuals supported Trump in the elections. This perspective diverges notably from that of Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London, who has described Trump as “racist,” “sexist,” and a “homophobe,” calling on his party to publicly condemn the President in prior discussions.
Morgan’s comments, made on Radio 5 Live, emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the United States, regardless of who occupies the White House. Unlike Khan, she highlighted the necessity of diplomacy and cooperation, suggesting that the UK must “keep as good a relationship with the United States as we can.” Her sentiment underscores a pragmatic approach toward international relations, especially in light of the economic ties between the UK and the US, which she noted are crucial for investment.
The conversation shifted to the economic implications of Trump’s policies, particularly his proposals for tariffs that could hurt the UK economy. Alarmingly, Trump had pledged during his campaign to impose a 20% tariff on all imports into the United States, alongside an ambitious 60% tariff on goods from China. Morgan expressed concern over how these tariffs might negatively impact the Welsh economy, acknowledging that such measures would indeed resonate through various sectors, particularly those reliant on exports.
In continuing the dialogue about Trump’s character and policies, Morgan was echoed by David Lammy, the UK Labour Foreign Secretary, who had previously labeled Trump as a “neo-Nazi-sympathizing sociopath” back in 2018 during his time as a backbench MP. However, Lammy has since characterized those previous statements as “old news” and opined that he would be able to find common ground with Trump, signaling a willingness among some politicians to prioritize diplomatic engagement over confrontation.
When prompted by program host Nicky Campbell if she believed Trump was a racist, Morgan directly responded, “I shouldn’t think he is, to be honest,” reiterating her earlier point about his support among minority voters during the election cycle. By framing the voter demographic in this way, she aims to dismantle the perception of racism that may be prevalent among Trump’s critics.
Continuing on this theme of respecting democratic choices, Morgan argued that the American vote reflected a credible choice by the electorate, which ought to be regarded with respect. This aspect of her argument indicates a commitment to international respect and the recognition of democratic processes in foreign nations.
Amid the discussions about Trump’s potential impact on UK economy and politics, Morgan also reflected on her first 100 days in office. In a related segment, she advised farmers to “calm down a bit” regarding their concerns over changes to inheritance tax, suggesting that stability and rational discourse are vital during uncertain times.
The contrasting viewpoints among Labour politicians about Trump’s race-related attitudes illustrate the complex narrative surrounding his election and presidency. While some, like Khan, remain critical of his character, others, like Morgan, advocate for a more conciliatory approach focused on practicality and the maintenance of economic and diplomatic ties.
In summary, Eluned Morgan’s statements advocate for a path of cautious diplomacy and cooperation while acknowledging the challenges posed by Trump’s economic policies. They also reflect a broader discussion within the Labour Party regarding how best to engage with the Trump administration going forward.
